Author Topic: Scotland...in august (Read 4067 times)

phil on a fazer · « **on:** 27 March 2012, 03:37:07 pm »

I'm thinking of heading up to the north coast of Scotland in August.

Now..I've always understood August to be a bad time to visit Scotland.

Generally in August the UK is quite wet but the main problem i understand is the midges!

am i right?

Raymy · « **Reply #1 on:** 27 March 2012, 09:18:58 pm »

Do it now cos it might be snowing by april, possibly may

Prudhoe Focers · « **Reply #2 on:** 27 March 2012, 09:33:40 pm »

We bumped into some bikers last year .. we'd been to the bike show at Kelso , they'd been to Scotland for a week touring.. they ditched their tent in the end and went ino B &B'S, they'd been bitten to death and soaked to the skin.. they were pretty fed up !! Sure you'd be ok just take that mozzi spray from the mountain centres.. good luck.. let us know how it goes, where going to tour next year,, if you fancy somewhere else have you been to Ireland ??

AdieR · « **Reply #3 on:** 27 March 2012, 09:37:41 pm »

Yep, them midges ARE a bugger at that time of year....and, yep, I've seen it snow in May up there before today as well

How far north are you going? I'm going up mid-May for a mates wedding (and hopefully it won't snow!).

VNA - BMW Wank · « **Reply #4 on:** 27 March 2012, 10:16:55 pm »

Seen snow in June before.

limax2 · « **Reply #5 on:** 27 March 2012, 10:38:25 pm »

I was near Fort William for a week in August last year and I can confirm it was very wet and the midges were out in full force. We did get a couple of dry days riding and we weren't camping this time so still enjoyed it.

Looney tune · « **Reply #6 on:** 28 March 2012, 08:48:06 am »

We have snow forecast for this Sunday, it always snows here in the middle of lambing season.

In general, March, April and May have been our best weather months and very little chance of the flying sharks being out. July, August are defo the worst months for midges. Other little devil's that people never mention are Clegg's (horse fly) and Tick's. Clegg's don't appeare much on the east coast but the bite is sore and itches for ages. Tick's on the other hand can be pretty dangerous if they latch on to your skin and suck your blood, if you are very unlucky they will leave you with limes desease

.

locksmith · « **Reply #7 on:** 28 March 2012, 11:25:32 am »

What a great advert for Scotland

Living 45 minutes from Dover I go South young man.

BIG MAC · « **Reply #8 on:** 28 March 2012, 11:39:33 am »

Kinda failing to mention it's roasting up here at the mo....the Ochil Hills are bathed in glorious sunshine and...the midges are out!

phil on a fazer · « **Reply #9 on:** 28 March 2012, 12:43:29 pm »

its Ullapool im meant to be going to (camping). i also got it wrong, its September not August. I really hate midges though! $:\$

Even though i like Scotland a lot...i might save further exploration around Scotland for in the car.

alan sherman · « **Reply #10 on:** 28 March 2012, 01:20:40 pm »

Take waterproofs and warm layers and you'll be fine. It was wet when I did a week long tour of Scotland about 10 years ago but it was great. I did leave my helmet on when I had breaks though due to midges! I'd recommend B&B as you won't stop in one place for more than 1 or 2 nights. Wet, cold camping combined with packing up a wet tent isn't fun. Also there are some great flowery B&Bs up there

GringoRojo · « **Reply #11 on:** 28 March 2012, 03:41:54 pm »

May June would be better for you, however if September is your only option you should keep and eye on what the weather is doing all year - if its warm and wet all year the midges will be murder even into late Sept. the drier the summer the better. a cold spring helps too, but currently its kicking the arse of 20celcius. brings out the flesh in the city centre mind you.

b3tarev3 · « **Reply #12 on:** 28 March 2012, 04:11:31 pm »

Went up twice last year, the first late May.......... pissed it down. The second mid September.........pissed it down

, but i loved every single second of it! On the west coast you can experience all four seaons in the space of a couple of hours. As said above waterproofs and warm clothes and you will be right, plus wild camping and midge baiting FTW

I'm back up in May to do Skye and Raasay, gonna edge my bets this year and plump for the first week in May. How i wish i was up there this week with this weather, those roads are amazing!!

VNA - BMW Wank · « **Reply #13 on:** 28 March 2012, 07:12:46 pm »

Kinda failing to mention it's roasting up here at the mo....

It's unbelievable. I jumped on the bike this morning, popped up to Wemyss Bay and took the ferry to Bute. I rode down to Kilchattan Bay and did the walk round the coast, past St Blanes Church and back over to Kilchatten. It was really quite warm, any warmer and it would be too warm fae walking fae me. I can't remember it ever being this warm in March before.

This is late March last year, heading towards Beinn Ime;

robby boy · « **Reply #14 on:** 28 March 2012, 08:13:32 pm »

Re midges, Avon Skin so soft is good stuff to repel the little blighters, mind you your tent will smell like a whores boudoir lol.

BIG MAC · « **Reply #15 on:** 28 March 2012, 08:56:36 pm »

28th of March 2012 on the road to Inveraray....

Raymy · « **Reply #16 on:** 28 March 2012, 10:20:13 pm »

I got busted there for "a speed no less than 75mph" a coupla years ago Trev. Next lay-by up

fond memories.

VNA - BMW Wank · « **Reply #17 on:** 29 March 2012, 10:49:37 am »

75 in a lay-by? That's foccin mentul!

Doon there somewhere?

goldfazer · « **Reply #18 on:** 29 March 2012, 11:02:13 am »

If the roads go thorugh or round, not over, the lumps and are quiet, that would be fabby cycling territory.

VNA - BMW Wank · « **Reply #19 on:** 29 March 2012, 11:49:46 am »

That's the rest and be thankful as viewed from Ben Arthur.
I've not cycled that road, but I doubt it would be much fun.
Quite narrow and a lot of fast traffic.

The scariest day I ever had cycling was riding down through Glencoe. And I had it good, heading south with a north tail wind, I was moving quite quick but it was still scary as hell. Ended up on my arse at one point due to a tanker that cut in on me.

paul.s · « **Reply #20 on:** 29 March 2012, 09:23:10 pm »

theres a good chip shop in ullapool on the harbour 2 min walk from the campsite itl help take your mind off the god awfull midgeis but wash the skin so soft off your fingers first as it tastes awfull

rayburn600 · « **Reply #21 on:** 29 March 2012, 09:48:42 pm »

There are some serious ticks & midges in Scotland so beware....
You have been warned.
I took this picture of a green tick a while back, so watch out for them.

Looney tune · « **Reply #22 on:** 29 March 2012, 09:56:01 pm »

Quote from: rayburn600 on 29 March 2012, 09:48:42 pm

There are some serious ticks & midges in Scotland so beware....
You have been warned.
I took this picture of a green tick a while back, so watch out for them.

Don't panic tho, we have the RED CROSS to control them old green ticks.

BIG MAC · « **Reply #23 on:** 29 March 2012, 11:48:04 pm »

They wear kilts to avoid trouser fly

SEPTIKANGEL · « **Reply #24 on:** 30 March 2012, 12:15:08 am »

Why not try the Round Britain Rally at the same time if you're going up there?
http://www.roundbritainrally.co.uk/index1.htm
Non competitive, runs from April 1st to October 31st each year.
90 landmarks to find from simple clues given - Do it for fun, or do it for charity, do as many or as few as you like.
I've been doing it for 5 years now - always got somewhere interesting to go.
You know the story, nice bike, nice day, where will I go then?
The RBR is better than sticking a pin in a map and it gives you some sense of purpose to your ride.
How many times have you been over and over the same old route again and again.
The RBR send you to places we'd mostly otherwise by pass / miss.
But beware, it's addictive.